Pluto. Greek underworld king = Hades = Orcus = Pater Dis. Planet discovered by Tombaugh, 1930. Disney dog named after planet, 1931.

Polignac, Auguste de. 1780-1847. French minister to Charles X. Disolved Chamber of Deputies, causing July Revolution 1830.

Pollaiuolo, Antonio del. 1431/2-98. Florentine bronze sculptor, painter. Pioneered dissection in anatomy. Hercules and Antaeus 1470s. Martyrdom of St. Sebastian 1475.

Poltava, Battle. 1709. Russia defeats Swedish invasion, becomes a power. Northern War.

Pompeii. Destroyed 79 by Vesuvius eruption. Rediscovered 1592.

Ponce de León, Juan. 1460-1521. Spanish discoverer of Florida 1513. Sought fountain of youth.

Poor Law Commission. 1842. Chadwick recommends municipal clean water supply and sewage systems to prevent disease.

Poujadism. 1954-8. French extreme right-wing political movement founded by Poujade. Gained tax concessions.

Prague, Peace of. 1635. Ends Swedish phase of Thirty Years War.

Progressive Party. 1912,24 Dissident US Republicans. 1948 Dissident Democrats.

Protestantism. Christian doctrine based on faith instead of church dispensations. Reformation. Presbyterianism. Calvin. Luther.

Puerto Rico. Taino. 1493 Columbus discovers. 1508 Spanish colony. 1898 US (Spanish American War). 1998 rejects statehood.

Pure Land Buddhism. 4C China, Japan. Followers of Buddha saviour Amitabha (Amida, O-mi-t’o). Paradise for invoking his name.

Quantum Theory. Energy levels are discontinuous. Foundation of modern physics. Planck 1900. Bohr.

Quebec. 1534 Cartier discovers. 1608 French colony. 1763 British. 1867 Founding province of Canada.

Radek, Karl. 1885-1939. Russian. COMINTERN leader, propagandist. Purged.

Radishchev, Aleksandr. 1749-1802. Liberal Russian writer. Denounced serfdom. Exiled to Siberia.

Radisson and Groseilliers. Huguenot explorers of Minnesota, 1658-9.

Ramsay, William. 1852-1916. English chemist: discovered helium 1895; neon, krypton, xenon 1898.

Reed, Walter. 1851-1902. Discovered, 1900, connection between Yellow Fever and mosquito, control of which allowed the Panama Canal to be built.

Reform Bills. England. 1832: Russell redistributes Parliamentary seats, enfranchises renters. 1867: Disraeli enfranchises workers in towns. 1884: Gladstone enfranchises agricultural workers. Representation of People Acts.

Reunion Is. 1513 Portugal discovers. 1638 French claim. 1665 French settle. 1810 British. 1814 French. 1947 French Overseas Department.

Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Federation. 1953-63. Opposed by Malawi, Zambia regions. Dissolved.

Riksdag. 1435-1865. Swedish parliament.

Ritter, Johann. 1776-1810. Polish/German discoverer of UV light.

103 more results ...